York City hold Al-Ettifaq to a 2-2 Spanish stalemate
York City battled to a 2-2 draw with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq as their Spanish pre-season camp in Alicante concluded on Friday evening. The Minstermen came from behind through Joe Felix's late curling finish, then held on with ten men after Ollie Banks was sent off near full time. The result closed an overseas trip that also featured a thrashing of the Saudi club's under-21 side earlier in the week.
Key Takeaways
- York City finished their Alicante camp with a 2-2 draw against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq at La Nucia.
- Ryan Fallowfield headed City ahead after four minutes before Moussa Dembele equalised from the penalty spot.
- Joe Felix curled in an 82nd-minute leveller after Al-Ettifaq had gone in front from close range.
- Ollie Banks was sent off late, leaving York with ten men for the final moments.
- Two days earlier, City had beaten Al-Ettifaq's under-21s 6-0 in Spain.
What happened in the York City vs Al-Ettifaq friendly?
According to The York Press, York City laboured to a share of the spoils as their Spanish pre-season stay wrapped up on Friday evening. Supporters who travelled to Spain watched the National League champions come from behind against a Saudi top-flight outfit.
City wore their blue and black third strip for the first time. Goalkeeper Alfie McNally, on a season-long loan from Fulham, started, while Joe Felix again operated in central midfield rather than at right-back. Ollie Pearce, Mark Kitching, Arthur Read and Jeff King were all rested.
Al-Ettifaq lined up with former Fulham, Celtic, Lyon and Atletico Madrid striker Moussa Dembele leading the attack. The Saudi side once spent as much as £14 million on former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, underlining the gulf in resources.
How did York City fight back to 2-2?
York made a dream start when Ryan Fallowfield produced a bullet header after just four minutes. McNally denied Al-Ettifaq twice early on, and Felix had a low effort parried at the other end.
On the brink of half-time the referee awarded the Saudi side a penalty. Dembele tucked it away, becoming the first player to score against McNally since his arrival. After the break, Zech Medley sliced an effort just over before Al-Ettifaq edged ahead with a close-range finish.
The breakthrough for the Minstermen arrived in the 82nd minute. Felix curled home from distance to make it 2-2. Banks then received a red card with two minutes left, but Al-Ettifaq could not make the numerical advantage count.
Why does this York City result matter?
Manager Stuart Maynard had flagged a tough examination after a 5-1 pre-season loss to Premier League side Sunderland, and this draw offered a sterner measure than City's 6-0 win over Al-Ettifaq's under-21s two days earlier. Goals in that game came from Frankie Maguire, Ben Farrar, Dipo Akinyemi, Greg Olley and Joe Grey.
Separately, the BBC has reported that York City have since confirmed Maynard's exit three months after he guided the club back into the English Football League, citing a difference in direction and vision. For more oddball sports and viral news, browse Bizarre News & Florida Man on BlasterPost.